AIBU to think this is out of order on a kids cartoon programme.

I have also posted in special needs section but as it is busier here have reposted.

DS 7 (AS) asked me "Am I an anti-social freak?" of course I said no, why? I followed him into the living room to hear a character on Cartoon Network (Johnny Test) say "I am so glad we have a normal kid and not a weird anti-social freak"

I can't understand why a prog aimed at children would broadcast blatant disability discrimination and it is my view that it is really nasty thing to say.

I agree the series of events sounds a bit odd as it is posted. But the use of the phrase on a children's programme is really awful if (like me) you have seen your child being reduced to tears by being called a freak .

I wonder would your reaction have been the same if the word had been "retard" or "schitzo" or even "ginge" or "paki" or "nigger", just to use a variety of insulting terms. Just saying "I'm glad we have a normal kid" is a bit on a children's programme.

Of course, I am willing to accept I haven't seen or heard this programme, and if you know for a fact that this phrase wasn't used, then it is fair enough to call troll, I suppose .

Presumably this is an US programme and as we know they have different words/usages for things. But is 'freak' a non PC word now, regardless of context? Also how can you tell from a cartoon that a child is being portrayed as having SN? Sorry, but haven't seen programme to be able to tell.

if the word had been any of thise you list, I would have had a different reaction. But it wasn't.

The key part from what you quote is "anti-social". Could I ask again for clarification on whether they were referencing a disabled character with this comment? Because there's a huge difference between a referencing a disabled character, and with say a vandal/foul-mouthed bully.

Also, what happened in the programme a) to the maker of the comments, and b) the character referenced? These are also both important factors in working out appropriateness (eg if the maker of the comments got due come-uppance, then could stand as a morality tale), if the anti-social one was taken to task for their unacceptable behaviour, then it's still a morality tale, but with a different focus.

How does 'anti-social freak' relate to somebody with disabilities? I'm sorry OP, but you seem to have picked up the 'discrimination' ball and run with it. It's not discrimination, not to me anyway, and I get really irritated with people grabbing onto any non-pc thing they can and applying a discrimination label willy-nilly.

Don't watch/let your children watch television if it bothers you, it's simple.

But they are saying the anti-social freak NOT the kid with social problems. To me the bit about the 'normal kid' seems worse.

Unfortunatly anything said can usually be referred back to something else and be twisted to a disabilist comment. I often hear the expression 'blind as a bat'. For someone who wears glasses and --is blind as a bat!--can't see much without them I could take the same stance iyswim?